Page 28 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

The bold chit grumbled under a breath, but she reluctantly climbed the stairs taking her back to the upper part of the house.

"Sorry for the inconvenience, your grace," Miss Charity greeted with a curtsey, her eyes carefully fixed on his chest. It was obvious she was avoiding looking directly at his face. He immediately started missing the presence of Little Diana with her bold and sassy manner, she was more intriguing than her elder sister.

"It was no inconvenience at all. I was actually enjoying our conversation," he answered with an amused chuckle.

Charity did not share his amusement as her expression remained stoic.

"I hear you are here to meet my father to ask for my sister's hand."

"Yes, I believe I am. I realize that it is not well done of me to come seeking the hand of one sister in marriage when I have already indicated interest in her sister."

Not that he thought she would be jealous. She was most likely relieved going by the way she had never hidden her distaste for him.

"You do not have to apologize to me. Besides," she raised her head to fix him with a rueful stare, "I don't think you would have been happy, married to me. You never wanted me, I just made sense to you. But my sister, she is a different story all together. You are different with her. You are in love with her, no matter how much you deny it.

"It is glaring for everyone to see. I am very glad, because Victoria deserves the absolute best and I have an inkling you would give her the absolute best. I just ask that you treat her as the absolute treasure she is," she told him with a reassuring smile.

She gave a tiny bit with her head and walked past him leaving him with a stupefied expression on his face.

She had walked quite some distance away when he regained his voice

"Why so you think I am a good fit for your sister when you so obviously detest me?"

She turned back to look at him, a confused look on her face

"I never detested you, your grace. You are by far one of the most charming gentleman in theton. Any reluctance you might have noted on my part, had more to do with the fact that I am already in love with someone else. Also, " she paused with a shy smile, " You, your grace, can be most intimidating, don't you realize? This is why Victoria is your perfect fit, she would never bow in fear and she is brave enough to stand up to anyone."

"You are not exactly a coward yourself, telling me all this to my face," he said drily.

She laughed lightly, the sound shocking Anthony, because she had never been comfortable enough to laugh in his presence

"This bout of courage only comes once in a while. It is quite rare, I regret to inform you."

He highly doubted that. No matter how shy Miss Charity Hobbs might be, he had a feeling that she could turn into a warrior whenever the situation called for it especially when the situation involved a loved one like a sister.

"I hope you have a good discussion with Father. His study is just two doors away from the right," with that information she walked away sedately.

He had not expected to meet Victoria's sisters on this visit. But he had met not one but two of her sisters.

Suffice to say that he now knew that he risked serious bodily harm should he ever hurt Victoria's heart.

His lady was so lucky to have such loyal defenders as sister. The mental image of them beating him with parasols or fashionable hand fans brought an amused laugh to his lips.

Life was definitely going to be interesting with his future sister in laws, and a part of him was excited to acquire siblings since he never had any growing up.

He had always envied his peers that spoke about their siblings even though they all claimed they were a menace. That type of chaos were welcome in his life. He craved it in fact.

With that joy in his heart, he strode down to the Viscount's study, the butler was standing just outside and announced his presence to the Viscount within.

Shortly after, he was ushered inside. When he stepped inside. The Viscount stood up, walked around the table and with a bow greeted

"Good day, your grace. It is my honor to have you here."

"My pleasure," he answered, shaking his proffered hand.

"Please have a seat," The Viscount said, offering him a seat. The duke took his seat.

The Viscount walked to a small tablethat held a decanter of drink and glasses. He poured one glass for himself then raised it and asked

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